elk gun

[wyohandi]

Well I haven't got my Sharps back from the gunsmith yet, but I have a new project in mind
already, my wife says I have a problem and should seek professional help.

Has anyone put one of the ER shaw 338-06 barrels on a Savage yet? Does it shoot?
I guess I really need a dedicated elk gun, have plenty that do the job just fine, but...

I am really leaning toward the 338-06/Savage, with good low power variable like a 1.5-5x
I have never killed an elk farther away than 100yds, I let a cow go last year because
I couldn't tell what part of her was in the scope at 3x, should have had the 44mag in hand!
But shots out to 300yds are just as possible, the reason for the variable.

I know the 338-06 is a good choice, but what bullet would you go with, 200,215,225gr?
Thanks in advance for replies.

[onesonek]

My favorite has been the 225 gr. Nosler Partition with H4350 at 2625 fps avg..
That load roughly has a PBR of 260 yds, and should you decide to push, it will still be "on the hair" at at 350 with better 2000 fps, and 2000 ft/lbs at that extended range,,,,,
Awesome Elk round!

Dave

[Coyote Hunter]

Haven't shot a Savage bu I have shot a customized '03-A3 in .338-06 and was deeply impressed. 

As a dedicated elk cartridge, though, nope, I don't think so.  It works too well on deer, too.

[Sweetwater]

Yup, the 225gr is the ticket. BUT, the biggest problem with a 'dedicated elk gun' is you get partial to them and they'll shoot everything from prairie dogs to whatever North America has to offer...I've got a rack of them..LOL!

Do it, and write us about it!

Regards,
Sweetwater

[huntswithdogs]

WYO,
Somebody had one of these Savage barrels in the Classified. Ya might check over there. It may be still hanging around waiting on ya to take it hunting!

[WyoStillhunter]

It sounds like a good project to me.  A local custom rifle maker here in Laramie uses a 338-06 in a Mauser action built in the classic style of Griffin and Howe, et al.

My elk rifle is a Rem. 700 Classic in 35 Whelen.  The 338-06 is theoretically a little superior ballistically but I am a romantic at heart so the tradition and history of the Whelen suits my taste.

Dedicated elk rifle?  Yes, that's a problem.  Over the years the Whelen has done it all for me: whitetail, antelope, elk, mountain lion.  Last year I was going to alternate hunting days between the Whelen and a .444 Marlin.  The Whelen drew Day #1 but the shot came on Day #2 with the Marlin.  That was two elk in two years for the 444.

My summer romance this year has been a new-to-me Rem. 700 Classic in 6.5X55 Swede.  So far I have taken an antelope and a Mule Deer with it.  Now I feel compelled to try for a triple play by taking an elk, too.

I know, I am a heel for leaving the Whelen at home again.  Elk season begins this Wednesday and I have three nights to sleep on the decision.

[wyohandi]

Yeah, yeah I know the dedicated elk rifle thing will never
work out (if it did I could have stopped 5-6 rifles ago)
I can justify it easier that way though
223 heavy barrel prariedogs
223 model 7 walking rifle
223 AR-15 predator/ plinking gun
243 Ruger antelope gun
243 Mossberg KIDS antelope gun
270 Handi Kids deer gun
7mm-08 my deer gun.......... and the list goes on

[Boxhead]

I have been using a 338-06 for 12 years. My bullet (elk, nilgai, deer and hogs) has either been the 210 gr Partition at 2800 fps or, most recently, the 185 gr Barnes TSX at 2970 fps. Both have worked very well.

[mrbigtexan]

have you considered the new 338 federal? i am impressed with a friends kimber in that caliber shooting federal fusion 200 gr.

[AtlLaw]

have you considered the new 338 federal?

Why?     The 338/06 will do everything the Fed will do and more!  I mean geeeese!     The Fed's nothing more then a .358 wannabe!   ( Dad Gummit!  I been reading to many of the Swampman's posts!  )

[Tunaman]

have you considered the new 338 federal?

Why?     The 338/06 will do everything the Fed will do and more!  I mean geeeese!     The Fed's nothing more then a .358 wannabe!   ( Dad Gummit!  I been reaqding to many of the Swampman's posts!  )

Fight the urges!

[Skunk]

My elk rifle is a Rem. 700 Classic in 35 Whelen.  The 338-06 is theoretically a little superior ballistically but I am a romantic at heart so the tradition and history of the Whelen suits my taste.

I'm with you on that one. I'm really liking my 35 Whelen CDL. I'm also fond of the tradition and history that a certain caliber provides, so the 35 Whelen is great in that respect too.

[Tunaman]

1+ on the Wheelen, I havnt killed with mine, but she sure does shoot well. The only advantage that I see in the 338 is the avaliability of bullets. There isa limited number of styles and weights for the 35 cal compared to the 338. With that said, if you really want a dedicated Elk rifle, that shouldn't present much of a problem.

[teddy12b]

A buddy went elk hunting a year or two ago.  He bought a 300 win mag for the hunt and practiced out to 300 yards or so.  Ended up dropping an elk at 50 yards and wondered why he had worried so much about his rifle.  I think your guns will be just fine.

[Coyote Hunter]

A buddy went elk hunting a year or two ago.  He bought a 300 win mag for the hunt and practiced out to 300 yards or so.  Ended up dropping an elk at 50 yards and wondered why he had worried so much about his rifle.  I think your guns will be just fine.

Been doing the elk thing since 1982 and have never taken a shot past 350 yards, nothing a .308 or 7mm-08 couldn't have handled equally well.

First year I went was with a guy that had just spent the big $$$ for a new Browning 7mm RM, Leupold scope and factory ammo.  He ended up under the same tree with the bull he shot.  Had to use the rifle like a shotgun at 15 feet or so because all that was visible in the scope was "brown".

[teddy12b]

My Grandpa used to love telling his story of his first elk hunt, and I really miss hearing it.  He went out to Colorado and the guides back then basically dropped you off on some part of the mountain and came back every couple of days to check on you.  Anyway, he was sitting under a tree with his 30-30 and a bull stuck his head out from around a tree and never gave him a good broadside shot.  My grandpa ended up shooting it in the head at 100 yards or less.  When the guides showed up one of them said something to the effect of "it never fails that some guy from out east with a little gun gets one".  The next seven years Grandpa hunted there with a 300 win mag and didn't see anything, go figure.

[WyoStillhunter]

My riflemaker friend and I had this conversation yesterday morning.  He uses the same .338-06 and the same load for everything.  I don't know his load but the bullet is Nosler Partition.  This year he has taken two antelope with it.  Last year he went to New Zealand for Thar and Chamois: same rifle, same load.  Over the years he has shot deer and elk with it as well.

He told me he loaded up 50 rounds of hunting ammo a few years ago and figures he has at least one more season before he runs out.  This is a guy who mostly shoots to test rifles he is building and has little time to shoot his own guns.  He said something to the effect that, "I just know this gun and this load so well that I have total confidence in it.  It doesn't make sense to keep switching loads and making scope adjustments when one load will do it all."

If you really think about it that makes alot of sense.

[dpe.ahoy]

GOOD LORD, MAN!  Don't ever put that in print again, my wife might see it.  I have her convinced I'm still buying guns for the kids.  We have 7 so I can get away with bring more home.  I gotta keep her out of the gun room when I open the safes, she made the comment, "You gotta lot of guns there."  Had to slam the doors shut and mumble something about purses and shoes back to her.  That put me in deeper hot water.  Note to self, Keep Mouth Shut!  DP

[teddy12b]

Makes a lot of sense to have one main rifle that you really know.  That's kind of how I'm getting with my 30-06.

As far as the wife & guns part, I just tell my wife that guns are like golf clubs and they each have they purpose at different distances.

[Coyote Hunter]

...
He said something to the effect that, "I just know this gun and this load so well that I have total confidence in it.  It doesn't make sense to keep switching loads and making scope adjustments when one load will do it all."

If you really think about it that makes alot of sense.

My 7mm Rem Mag was my one elk rifle for 20 years and most of that time it was a one load gun – 160g Grand Slams.  When Speer modified the profile of the Grand Slams and changed from a two alloy to single alloy core I started looking around at other bullets and loads.  First up was the 160g XLC’s which sorely disappointed.  Then it was back to the Grand Slams for then next 2-3 elk.  The next bullet was the 160g North Fork, which worked great, but when I got a .300 Win Mag I decided to try lighter bullets in the 7mm RM.  The first was 140g North Forks but I’ve also tried 140g TSX and 140g and 120g TTSX. The North Forks are no longer available but I have a lifetime supply of the 140’s and will continue to use them.

The .300 WM gets both 180g and 168g bullets but I was using 180g North Forks for hunting.  Now that they are no longer available I’ll probably go with the 168g TTSX.  The .30-06’s and .308 Win get 168g TTSX for hunting and 168g AMAX for target work.  The .30-30 gets Speer 130’s for fun and Speer 170’s for hunting.  The .257 Roberts gets 110 AccuBonds, 115g TSX and 120g Partitions, Grand Slams and A-Frames.  I’m thinking the AccuBonds or TSX will get the nod for hunting this year since I’m running low on A-Frames.

Other than the Roberts, I guess I’ve pretty well settled on one hunting load per rifle, and if Barnes would come out with a .25 TTSX that issue would probably get settled quickly.  Some of the others took a bit of doing to get there, but that was half the fun.

[onesonek]

Here's another of mine,,,still waiting to draw blood on an elk. Looks like it won't be this year again, hopefully next.
 Encore/OTT/9.3x74R



Dave

[wyohandi]

Just got back from elk hunting
Still haven't shot one past 100yds, this year was about 100yds on the button.
Just sitting a park with my daughter (see Handi forum)
The ole' 300 shortmag worked again    not helping my cause for an ELK gun
I guess I'll just have to build it and only take it elk hunting, plus a back-up or two.

Thanks for the replies.

[Mr. Joe]

Ahh....the history and tradition of old storied rounds.  Maybe thats why i have many rifles but use a 7x57 for everything i hunt!  I am in total agreement, i just love some of those old war horses.